I have just a 3cm of fresh snowfall to report to you since my report yesterday.

It looks like most - all? - regions of Japan are going to experience something of a warm up today, tonight and into tomorrow.

Temperatures are going to rise and... we might get rained on tonight. Nooooooo!

The good news is that snow is due back tomorrow and possibly heavy snow on Wednesday. Yes!

We shall see. The hope is for rain to be limited and be snow quickly.

For now, Hirafu are reporting sleet at base and snow higher up and Annupuri are reporting snow. It won't be the light and fluffy kind though. It will be interesting to see what we get over the next 24 hours

I will of course let you know how things are going this time tomorrow.

Currently we are under influence of low pressure system, the pressure gradient is shallow and weather is calm. Expect the temperature to rise as the low pressure system approaches from the Japan Sea. At 800m, 30cm of snowdrift growth on leeward slopes was observed at the 4am survey. In some areas yesterdays tracks are also covered. From tests there is no obvious weak layer and with other data general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are expected to be open.

Although it didn't snow much, the resorts groomers are in fantastic condition. Off the runs is tracked out from yesterday still, be careful going fast and hitting trees. Also careful falling into holes. Yesterday at Waterfall Gate 9 someone had to be rescued.

Do not ever enter Strictly Off Limits areas Haru no Taki and YunoSawa. If one person ignores the rules and enters others will follow their tracks leading to increased chances of an accident. Under Niseko Rules it is prohibited to ride in these areas. In Niseko we respect your right to ride safely out off bounds. Make sure if you are going out of bounds you do so through a gate. Beware of a sudden weather change. Have a good day.

Lifts scheduled to be operating:- All lifts except Country Road Chair are operating- 'Early Gondola' service from 7:30am until 8:30am (Niseko Gondola). January 8th, 13th-14th, 20th-21st, 27th-28th; February 3rd-4th. 1,400 yen special ticket required.

Official snow depth:- Top: 260cm- Base: 160cm

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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:

Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted below (subject to change):